Method of sanitizing textile articles and the like

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a method of removing hair from a textile article or the like. The method comprises providing a solid or liquid composition comprising sodium hydroxide, dispersing the solid or liquid concentrate in an aqueous medium that is contacted with the textile article or the like, such that the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is 1-15% w/w, and maintaining the aqueous medium in contact with the textile article or the like at a temperature between 10° C. and 120° C. for a period of between 1 and 180 minutes. The sodium hydroxide causes dissolution of hair from the textile article. There is also provided a concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide used in such method. Such method is particularly useful in treating human hairwear, especially hairwear used in sanitary conditions, such as food production, and for pet products to which animal hair may adhere.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to GB 1221027.4 filed on Nov. 22, 2012and GB 1314327.6 filed on Aug. 9, 2013, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a method of sanitizing textile articles andthe like. In particular, this invention relates to a method for removinghair from items of workwear as part of a laundering process, as well asin other domestic sanitary applications. The invention may also be ofparticular utility in the removal of animal hair from textile articlesand the like that are used by or in association with domestic pets orother animals.

BACKGROUND

In many environments, such as food preparation and medicalestablishments, it is important that high levels of hygiene aremaintained. As part of maintaining appropriate hygiene levels, it isimportant to ensure that all clothing and other workwear worn by thoseworking in such environments is clean and in good condition. High levelsof hygiene are also desirable in a domestic environment particularlywhere pets or other animals are present. Normal laundering processes areappropriate for removing dirt and stains, but they may not effectivelyremove hair that has become attached to clothing and other garmentsduring use.

Hair easily becomes caught on the surface or inside the structure oftextiles. It is believed that this happens through two mechanisms:electrostatic and mechanical forces. Electrostatic forces exist betweenthe positively charged amino acids in keratin (the protein which makesup hair), and the negatively charged functional groups in many textiles(e.g., the carboxylic acid groups in polyesters). Mechanical forcescause hair to become entrapped in textiles when a garment is worn or atextile item is in direct contact with hair. Movement of the garment ortextile item against the hair causes individual hairs to be forced intothe structure of the fabric. For example, the movement of a hat againsta wearer's head, or of an arm cover against a wearer's arm, causes hairsto become lodged in the fabric structure of the hat or arm cover.Textiles can also become contaminated with hair through contact withother items. For example, if two items of workwear come into contactwith each other or are washed together using conventional launderingprocesses, hair and other dirt can be transferred between the garments,thereby spreading contamination.

Because of this, the removal of hair from textiles is difficult. As aresult, it is common for workwear to be disposed of after a single use,because there is no appropriate method for reliably removing all of thehair from a garment, and so maintaining an appropriate level of hygiene.The same problem is also found in domestic environments and commercialenvironments involving animals such as horse stables or veterinarysurgeries where, for example, dog and/or cat hairs easily become caughtin clothing, on furniture or carpets and on pet/animal bedding andaccessories. The presence of large amounts of hair is a common cause ofdomestic washing machine breakdowns and the transfer of hairs fromcontaminated items to other non-contaminated items during the cleaningprocess is also highly undesirable.

There are a number of commonly used mechanical devices for removing hairfrom fabric. One such device is a roller with a sticky surface. As thesticky surface of the roller is rolled across the fabric, it sticks tohairs and draws them from the fabric. However, being verylabor-intensive, such hand-held devices have limited application inenvironments in which large quantities of items need to be cleaned. Inaddition, rollers may not be effective in removing hairs that havebecome lodged within the structure of the fabric, making it impossibleto ensure that all hairs have been removed. Similar problems areencountered with other commercially available mechanical devices forremoving hairs, such as vacuum cleaners, which are sometimesspecifically sold for removing (pet) hair.

Where it is important that all of the hair is removed from an item,e.g., due to a need to maintain a high level of hygiene, the difficultyin reliably removing all of the hair often results in items being thrownaway and replaced after a single use. For example, in automotive paintspraying, food preparation, food processing and the packaging industry,hats and hairnets are often disposed of at the end of each day as theycannot be effectively cleaned for re-use. Particularly where largenumbers of people require clean and hygienic workwear on a daily basis,such a practice is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. In thedomestic environment, incomplete removal of hair when laundering itemsaffects the efficiency of the cleaning process as hair left behind cannecessitate additional washing machine cycles to remove residual hair orultimately the need for additional servicing or replacement of thewashing machine itself due to blockages caused by the build-up of hair.Such practices are expensive and environmentally unfriendly.

SUMMARY

There has now been devised an improved method of sanitizing textilearticles and the like, which overcomes or substantially mitigates theabove-mentioned and/or other problems associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof sanitizing a textile article or the like, which method comprisesproviding a solid or liquid composition comprising sodium hydroxide;dispersing the solid or liquid composition in an aqueous medium that iscontacted with the textile article or the like, such that theconcentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is 1-15% w/w;and maintaining the aqueous medium in contact with the textile articleor the like at a temperature between 10° C. and 120° C. for a period ofbetween 1 and 180 minutes; wherein the sodium hydroxide causesdissolution of hair from the textile article.

According to another aspect of the invention, a concentrated compositionsuitable for and intended to be dispersed in an aqueous medium isprovided. The concentrated composition comprises sodium hydroxide at aconcentration such that, when the concentrated composition is, in use,dispersed in an aqueous medium the sodium hydroxide is present at about1% to about 15% w/w, wherein the concentrated composition is in the formof

-   -   a) a liquid concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide at a        concentration of about 20% to about 50% w/w put up in a        container having a volume of about 0.3 to about 1.0 liter; or    -   b) a solid concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide in an amount        of about 10 to about 300 g in the form of a tablet or powder,        which solid concentrate comprises sodium hydroxide at a        concentration of at least about 60% w/w in combination with a        carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof sanitizing a textile article or the like, which method comprisesproviding a solid or liquid composition comprising sodium hydroxide;dispersing the solid or liquid composition in an aqueous medium that iscontacted with the textile article or the like, such that theconcentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is 1-15% w/w;and maintaining the aqueous medium in contact with the textile articleor the like at a temperature between 10° C. and 120° C. for a period ofbetween 1 and 180 minutes; wherein the sodium hydroxide causesdissolution of hair from the textile article.

The method of the invention is advantageous primarily in that it mayreliably remove hair from textile articles and the like, therebyenabling the re-use of items which would otherwise have been disposedof. In addition, this method may easily be used in situations wherelarge numbers of items require cleaning in a relatively short space oftime. This is particularly useful in industries which employ a largenumber of people, and so require a high number of clean items ofworkwear for staff on a daily basis. The ability to re-use items ofclothing and workwear multiple times results in a significant costsaving, as well as reducing the environmental impact of the industry.Higher cost products offering better protection and comfort to theworker may become economical to use if they can be washed and re-used.The sodium hydroxide may remove all of the hair from the article byfully or partially dissolving the hair. One method by which the sodiumhydroxide may work is by breaking the hydrogen and ionic bonds withinthe structure of the hair, resulting in a breakdown of the proteinstructure and dissolution of the hair. In addition, the method isadvantageous in that it dissolves the hair rather than simply removingthe hair from the textile product. Hair and in particular pet hair isknown to be a cause of washing machine breakdown due to blockages whichmay lead to water leaks. Also, the transfer of unremoved hair from acontaminated item to clothing, etc. is highly undesirable. Furthermore,a second wash may be avoided as all the hair is removed and there is norequirement to wash remaining hair through the system. It will beappreciated that reducing the number of product washes is beneficial tothe product life-time and also to the environment.

The textile article or the like to which the sodium hydroxide is appliedin the method of the invention may be an item of workwear. Such itemsinclude items of apparel such as overalls, caps or other headwear,including hairnets, arm coverings and gloves, and overshoes etc. Apreferred aspect of the invention concerns the treatment of headwear,particularly human headwear. By “textile” is meant, in the context ofthe present invention, any material consisting of a network of naturaland/or artificial fibers, or any item made wholly or predominantlytherefrom. Such items may also be other household or industrial itemscommonly made from fabric, e.g., furniture covers, pet bedding, otherpet accessories, equestrian items including saddlecloths, blankets,girth straps, bandages, fly veils, or other item of horse wear, etc.Textiles may be woven, nonwoven (including spun-bonded, thermally bondedand melt-blown nonwovens) or knitted and may, for example, bemanufactured from fibers of polyester, cotton, nylon, viscose,polypropylene or any other suitable material. A preferred aspect of theinvention is the removal of pet hair, including horse hair, and thus thetextiles to which this invention relates are particularly for use in thecare of animals. The invention may also be applicable to the sanitizingof items of workwear that are manufactured from materials that are not“textiles”, e.g., plastics materials in sheet form or pet and equestriangrooming brushes and combs. The method as applied for equestrian use isa particular embodiment of the present invention. The invention may alsobe applicable for cleaning any items incorporating hook-and-loopfasteners (Velcro-type). Hair is particularly difficult to remove fromsuch fasteners by known methods such as rollers with a sticky surface,conventional laundering etc. Plastics materials and other small items,such as brushes and combs, may be put in a bag and washed in aconventional laundry process.

Typically, the method of the present invention forms part of alaundering process, by which is meant a process for the cleaning oftextiles. For example, a laundering process may be a process of washingusing a machine or by hand, and may include additional processes, eitherbefore or after application of the sodium hydroxide.

The hair-dissolving chemical is sodium hydroxide. Additional activeingredients used for hair removal preparations, e.g., hair-dissolvingchemicals, may also form part of the treatment according to the presentinvention, and may include thioglycolic acid and salts thereof, e.g.,sodium thioglycolate or calcium thioglycolate.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the sodiumhydroxide may function by disrupting disulfide bonds in the keratin ofthe hair. This action is valuable in the method of the invention as thehair is completely removed rather than separated from the product andtherefore requires no further processing to remove the hair from thetreatment system.

The use of sodium hydroxide is particularly advantageous as, apart fromits effect on hair present in the articles being laundered, sodiumhydroxide may also assist in the removal of dirt or other contaminants.This may reduce the amount of detergent or other ingredients that needto be used in the laundering process. Sodium hydroxide may also be usedat relatively low concentrations and is, at least at thoseconcentrations, safe and easy to use, not presenting any difficulties inhandling. Sodium hydroxide is widely available in suitable forms and isinexpensive.

Other inorganic chemicals that may be suitable for use in the invention,in combination with the sodium hydroxide, include perborates, peroxidesand cyanates, e.g., sodium perborate, calcium peroxide, hydrogenperoxide, potassium cyanate, or mixtures thereof.

Another class of hair-dissolving chemical that may be suitable for usein the invention, in combination with the sodium hydroxide, is enzymesthat are capable of breaking down, and hence causing the dissolution of,hair. Such enzymes include proteases, in particular enzymes derived fromBacillus strains.

However, enzymes may be deactivated at the relatively high temperaturescommonly used in domestic and industrial laundering processes, and atlower temperatures may act too slowly to be practicable. Enzymes mayalso be relatively costly, and the discharge of substantialconcentrations of such materials may be undesirable from anenvironmental point of view.

The concentration of sodium hydroxide in the composition will vary,depending on the anticipated quantity of hair to be dissolved, the ratioof product (i.e., weight of articles) to liquor (i.e., the washingliquor comprising water, the sodium hydroxide and any hair-dissolvingchemical and other laundry additives, for example detergent), the weightof the articles from which it is desired to remove the hair, the natureof the material from which the hair is to be removed, the temperature ofthe treatment and the time period of the treatment. The concentration ofthe sodium hydroxide used in the present treatment process is from 1 to15% w/w, suitably up to 10% w/w, for example from 1 to 10% w/w.Particular ranges are 1.5 to 10% w/w, 2 to 10% w/w, 2.5 to 10% w/w, 3 to10% w/w, 4 to 10% w/w and 5 to 10% w/w. The concentration may be greaterthan 1% w/w and less than 10% w/w. In practice, it may be convenient tohave a maximum concentration of 5% w/w or less than 5% w/w, for examplefrom 1 to 5% w/w, as greater values may cause the degradation of somematerials, particularly delicate materials, during the sanitizingprocess. Thus, preferred ranges of the sodium hydroxide are in the range1.5 to 5% w/w, 2 to 5% w/w, 2.5 to 5% w/w and 3 to 5% w/w. A morepreferred concentration of the sodium hydroxide is from 2 to 4% w/w. Insome circumstances, it may be desired that the concentration is, forinstance from 1% up to about 4%, 3% or 2% w/w. Such concentrations havebeen found to be suitable, for instance under certain sanitizingconditions which may be dependent on the nature of the material in whichcase satisfactory results have been achieved at a concentration of 1% to3% w/w, e.g., 1% w/w, 2% w/w or 3% w/w.

The composition comprising the sodium hydroxide will generally be aliquid composition, most commonly an aqueous solution. The compositionmay be manufactured and supplied to end-users in its final form,suitable for direct application. More commonly, however, the compositionwill be supplied as a solid or liquid concentrate, for dissolution in asolvent (e.g., water) in situ or prior to use. A solid concentrate mayhave the form of a bulk powder or a tablet and may be added to theprocess in this form or in the form of a sachet, a block, pellets orsewn items, e.g., a fabric sachet, containing such formats. Liquidconcentrates may be supplied in the form of a bulk liquid or gel, or asa sachet, capsule or ampoule. Most commonly, a liquid concentrate willbe supplied in a volume and concentration that is such as to provide thedesired concentration of the sodium hydroxide in use, i.e., when theconcentrate is added to a standard volume of water, e.g., the standardfill volume of a domestic or industrial washing machine.

In currently preferred embodiments, the sodium hydroxide is formulatedas a concentrated aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide with aconcentration of 20% to 50% w/w, more preferably 30 to 50% w/w or 35-45%w/w, most preferably around 40% w/w. In some circumstances, lowerconcentrations may be envisaged, such as 20 to 40% w/w, e.g., 25% to 35%w/w. The product may be put up in a container having a volume of 0.3-1.0liter, e.g., from 0.4-0.8 liter or from 0.5-0.7 liter. Preferred are 500ml liquid containers, multiples thereof, e.g., 1 liter, 5 liters etc.,or smaller denominations thereof, e.g., 125 ml or 250 ml.

The amount of sodium hydroxide composition used in the treatment isgenerally dependent on the weight of the articles to be washed as wellas the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous composition. Theliquor (washing liquid (e.g., water) including treatment and laundryadditives) may be varied to suit the product weight. Suitably, theproduct (kg)/liquor ratio is one in which 1 kg product is combined withup to 10 liters liquor, for example 1:1-10 parts by weight, preferablyup to 7 liters liquor, for example 1:1-7 parts by weight, and morepreferably up to 4 liters liquor, for example 1:1-4 parts by weight.Typical domestic washing machines wash 3-8 kg product with 5-20 literswater. In a preferred method according to the invention, most commonly2-6 kg product is washed with 6-10 liters water in a domestic process.Typical industrial washing machines wash 100-200 kg product.

The sodium hydroxide may also be supplied in powder or tablet format incombination with a carrier and any other desired ingredients such asdetergent and/or effervescent materials. Similarly, tablets, sachets andthe like will be manufactured such that addition of one (or more) suchunits to the solvent gives the desired concentration of sodiumhydroxide.

Alternatively, aliquots of a bulk composition, whether solid or liquid,may be measured into the solvent to yield a composition with the desiredconcentration of sodium hydroxide.

The sodium hydroxide may be added at any time during the launderingprocess. For example, the sodium hydroxide may be sprayed onto thetextile prior to washing the item, it may be added as part of thewashing process, or it may be applied to the item after washing.Preferably, the method comprises a one-bath process for laundering andhair removal, in which the items to be laundered are immersed in a bathcontaining the composition. Preferably, such a process is contained inthe main wash of a laundry process. Alternatively, the method mayinclude a pre-soak operation and/or a rinsing step. In the pre-soakoperation, the article from which hair is to be removed is soaked priorto washing. The pre-soak operation may involve soaking the article in asolution containing the sodium hydroxide, in a solution containing adetergent, in water, or in any other suitable solution. Advantageously,the sodium hydroxide is added to the main wash cycle of the launderingdevice as this will allow the treatment of the sodium hydroxide, addedat an appropriate concentration for hair to be dissolved from thearticles (e.g., 1 to 15% w/w), to occur at elevated temperature (e.g.,30 to 120° C.) for a desired period of time (between 1 and 180 minutes).More usually, the treatment time in the main wash lasts between 1 and 85minutes, more preferably between 1 and 30 minutes. In another methodaccording to the present invention, the articles are treated with thehair-removing chemical by washing, followed by a rinsing procedure.Typically, up to four rinses, for example, one rinse, or preferably twoor three rinses, may be carried out to remove any undesired residue.This procedure may be preferred where it is desired to wear an articlesubjected to the present treatment next to the skin.

Alternative methods of application of the composition to the items to belaundered may also be possible. For instance, the sodium hydroxide maybe applied as a coating on the item, e.g., by means of an impregnatedroller or an impregnated wipe, or by spraying.

The composition may be utilized at room temperature or at an elevatedtemperature. It is desired to treat the articles in question in therange between 10° C. and 120° C. Preferably, the composition is appliedat, or raised to a temperature of up to 100° C., for example between 20°C. and 100° C. Convenient upper limits may be 94° C., 95° C., 96° C.,97° C., 98° C. or 99° C. Typically, the temperature may be in the rangebetween 30° C. and 100° C. or between 30° C. and 90° C. For example, thetemperature may be 40° C., 60° C., 70° C., 80° C. or 90° C.Conveniently, the sodium hydroxide-containing composition is applied ina laundering process in which the material carrying the hair is washedat a temperature of at least 40° C., 50° C., 60° C., 70° C. or 80° C.,e.g., a temperature in the range 40 to 100° C., 50 to 100° C., 60 to100° C., 70 to 100° C., 80 to 100° C. or 90 to 100° C. or a temperaturein the range 40 to 90° C., 50 to 90° C., 60 to 90° C., 70 to 90° C. or80 to 90° C.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the time for whichit is necessary that the sodium hydroxide is in contact with the articlewill vary depending, for example, on the article to be cleaned, theconcentration of sodium hydroxide or the temperature. The sodiumhydroxide is applied for between 3 and 90 minutes. Preferably, thesodium hydroxide is in contact with the article for a sufficient timethat substantially all of the hair on the article is dissolved. Morepreferably, the sodium hydroxide is applied for between 10 and 60minutes, or between 30 and 60 minutes.

The nature of the fabric from which it is desired to remove hairs willalso determine the treatment conditions. More robust materials, such ascotton, may be treated with higher concentrations of sodium hydroxide ata higher temperature for a shorter time, whereas delicate syntheticmaterials, such as polyesters and polyamides, may require to be washedfor a longer time, for example 60 to 90 minutes, at a lower temperaturefor example, 30-70° C. In addition, a higher weight of product willgenerally require a higher concentration of sodium hydroxide and/or ahigher temperature and/or a longer washing time in order to maintain thesame efficiency in removal of the hair.

In the method of the invention, additional ingredients that facilitateor enhance the removal of hair, as well as the conventional cleaning ofthe items to be laundered, may also be applied.

Such additional ingredients include those that are conventionally usedin washing powders and the like, and may include some or all of thefollowing:

-   -   a) one or more detergents;    -   b) antimicrobial agents, which include antibacterial agents,        antiviral agents and antifungal agents;    -   c) fragrances;    -   d) optical brighteners;    -   e) anti-creasing agents;    -   f) softening agents;    -   g) fire retardants or flame proofing agents; and/or    -   h) water repellents.

These additional ingredients may be applied to the items to be launderedseparately from the sodium hydroxide. Alternatively, they may beincluded in the same composition as the sodium hydroxide and so areapplied simultaneously with the sodium hydroxide. In the latter case,the additional ingredient(s) may be formulated with the sodium hydroxidein concentrated form, as described above.

Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention, there is provideda concentrated composition suitable for and intended to be dispersed inan aqueous medium, the concentrated composition comprising sodiumhydroxide at a concentration such that, when the concentratedcomposition is, in use, dispersed in an aqueous medium the sodiumhydroxide is present at 1-15% w/w, wherein the concentrated compositionis in the form of

-   -   a) a liquid concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide at a        concentration of 20-50% w/w put up in a container having a        volume of 0.3-1.0 liter; or    -   b) a solid concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide in an amount        of 10-300 g in the form of a tablet or powder comprising sodium        hydroxide at a concentration of at least 60% w/w in combination        with a carrier.

In currently preferred embodiments, the concentrated composition is anaqueous solution of sodium hydroxide with a concentration of 25% to 45%w/w, e.g., 30% to 45% w/w. The concentrated composition may be put up ina container having a volume of 0.3-1.0 liter, e.g. from 0.4-0.8 liter orfrom 0.5-0.7 liter.

The concentration of sodium hydroxide in the concentrated composition ispreferably such that, when the concentrated composition is dispersed inthe aqueous medium the concentration of the sodium hydroxide is lessthan 10% w/w, more commonly less than 5% w/w, for instance from 1% up toabout 4%, 3% or 2% w/w, and most preferably 1% to 2% w/w, e.g. 1% w/w or2% w/w.

The concentrated composition may alternatively be a solid concentrate. Asolid concentrate may have the form of a bulk powder or pellets or theform of a tablet or block. The solid concentrate may suitably containthe sodium hydroxide in a concentration of 60-99%, preferably 60-95%w/w, more preferably 60-90% w/w. The solid concentrate may be added towater or may be added to the wash liquid in the desired number of unitsto provide the desired wash concentration, i.e., a wash concentration of1-15% w/w. The carrier may comprise detergent and or effervescentmaterials as well as commonly used solid formulation ingredients.

One advantage of the invention is that by washing the hair-carryingmaterials, the articles do not need to be disposed of, such as disposalin land-fill sites. It is also desirable to launder the articles in anefficient way as possible to minimize the environmental impact. Treatinga small quantity of small articles will allow treatment at a lowerconcentration and/or lower temperature and/or treatment time. However, apreferred cleaning process uses an optimized quantity of articles forthe machine under consideration, such as industrial or domestic washingmachines.

A further preferred process involves incorporating the hair-dissolvingtreatment during the main wash cycle as this is conducted at theelevated temperature for the period of time required for the presenthair-dissolving process.

Preferred conditions present an optimized combination of temperature,concentration, ratio of product to liquor and treatment time. For anygiven concentration of sodium hydroxide, if the temperature is raisedthe treatment time may be reduced and vice versa. Desirably, the sodiumhydroxide is used at a concentration in the range 1.5 to 5% w/w,preferably 2-4% w/w, and washing at a temperature greater than 50° C.,especially 80-100° C., in a washing cycle which may typically take from1 to 85 minutes, preferably between 1 and 60 minutes, more preferablybetween 1 and 30 minutes. In preferred embodiments the treatment periodis between 5 and 60 minutes, especially between 5 and 30 minutes andmost preferably between 10 and 30 minutes.

Preferred treatment conditions are a concentration of sodium hydroxideof from 1 to 10% w/w and a weight ratio of the articles to liquor(washing liquor) of 1:1-7 parts by weight wherein the main cycle wash iscarried out at a temperature of between 50° C. to 100° C. for between 1and 85 minutes. Especially preferred treatment conditions are aconcentration of sodium hydroxide of from 1 to 5% w/w and a weight ratioof the articles to liquor of 1:1-4 parts by weight wherein the maincycle wash is carried out at a temperature of between 60° C. to 100° C.for between 1 and 30 minutes.

The concentrated composition may also comprise one or more additionalingredients selected from the group consisting of detergents,antimicrobial agents, fragrances, optical brighteners, anti-creasingagents, softening agents, fire retardants or flame proofing agents,and/or water repellents.

The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, withreference to the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Use of Sodium Hydroxide to Dissolve Hair

Solutions of sodium hydroxide of concentrations between 2% and 10% wereprepared by dissolving sodium hydroxide in water at room temperature,e.g., a 2% solution was prepared by dissolving 2 g of sodium hydroxidein 100 ml of water at room temperature.

Defined quantities of hair were immersed into the sodium hydroxidesolutions and the action of the reagent was observed at differenttemperatures and over different time periods. The results can be seen inTable 1.

TABLE 1 The effect of sodium hydroxide on hair. Temperature Time 2% NaOH5% NaOH 10% NaOH 40° C. 15 min Hair softened Hair softened Starts to andloss of hair and loss of hair disintegrate colour colour 30 min Hairsoftened Starts to 30% partial and loss of hair disintegratedisintegration colour 45 min Hair softened 50% partial 30% partial andloss of hair disintegration disintegration colour 60 min Hair softened70% partial 50% partial and loss of hair disintegration disintegrationcolour 60° C. 15 min All colour lost. 50% partial 80% partial Minorpartial disintegration disintegration disintegration. 30 min 60% partial90% partial 90% partial disintegration disintegration disintegrationafter stirring after stirring 45 min 100% 100% 90% partial dissolutiondissolution disintegration after stirring 60 min 100% 100% 95%dissolution dissolution dissolution 80° C. 15 min 90% dissolution 95%dissolution 95% dissolution without stirring 30 min 95% dissolution 95%dissolution 95% dissolution 45 min 100% 100% 100% dissolutiondissolution with dissolution residue 60 min 100% 100% 100% dissolutiondissolution with dissolution residue

It was found that under a number of conditions, for example, whenimmersed in 2% sodium hydroxide at 60° C. for 45 min, hair dissolvescompletely.

Controlled experiments were then carried out on 100% polyester hairnetswhich contained human hair. The hairnets were immersed in 2% sodiumhydroxide at 60° C. for 45 min. After this time had elapsed the hairnetswere inspected, and all human hair was observed to have been dissolvedfrom the fabric.

Further experiments, following the procedure outlined above, were thencarried out using lower concentrations of sodium hydroxide and atemperature of 60° C. The results can be seen in Table 2.

TABLE 2 The effect of low concentrations of sodium hydroxide on hairTime 0.5% NaOH 1% NaOH 1.5% NaOH 15 min No visible change Changesobserved in Swelling of hair hair (curling) 30 min No visible changeSwelling of hair Loss of hair colour 45 min Swelling of hair 75%disintegration 100% dissolution 60 min Swelling of hair 90% dissolution—

It was found that complete dissolution of hair is obtained by the use ofa solution containing 1.5% sodium hydroxide at 60° C. for 45 min.Additionally, it was found that a 1% solution of sodium hydroxide didnot completely dissolve hair after 60 min, but complete dissolution withthis concentration was achieved after 75 min.

EXAMPLES 2 TO 4 Formulations for Domestic Use

Concentration (w/w) Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Water 57.25% 59.5%50.5% Sodium Hydroxide   32%   32%   41% Detergent    8%   8%   8%Non-staining dye  0.5%  0.5%  0.5%

The formulation may be supplied in a container with a volume ofapproximately 600 ml, such that when introduced to the drum of adomestic washing machine, the composition is diluted between 16- and32-fold to give an operational concentration of sodium hydroxide between1 and 2% w/w.

EXAMPLE 5 AND 6 Formulations for Industrial Use

Concentration (w/w) Example 5 Example 6 Water  67% 58.25% SodiumHydroxide  32%   41% Urea 0.5%  0.25% Disinfectant 0.5%  0.5%

EXAMPLE 7

8 kg Product weight domestic washing machine

6 litre of water in main wash,

2 kg of product weight

Grams required Concentration for 6 Litre Chemicals (w/w) m/c Sodium 2%120 g Hydroxide Effervescent Appropriate to Example for Chemical washlight staining such as requirements 1%/60 g Sodium heavy/light soilBiCarbonate (Detergent) Non Dependant on Example for Staining strengthof weak Dye-L81021 colour colouration 0.0005%/3 g

EXAMPLE 8

8 kg Product weight domestic washing machine

6 litre of water in main wash

3 kg of product weight

Grams required Concentration for 6 Litre Chemicals (w/w) m/c Sodium 3%180 g Hydroxide Effervescent Appropriate to Example Chemical wash forlight such as requirements staining Sodium heavy/light soil 1%/60 gBiCarbonate (Detergent) Non Dependant on Example Staining strength offor weak Dye-L81021 colour colouration 0.0005%/3 g

EXAMPLE 9

8 kg Product weight domestic washing machine

10 litre of water in main wash

5 kg of product weight

Concentration Quantities for Chemicals (w/w) 500 ml Bottle Sodium   3% 300 g Hydroxide Urea 0.25%  2.5 g Non Staining Dependant on Example forDye strength of weak L81021 colour colouration Chromat.Blue. 0.0005%/3 g

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of removing hair from a textile article,the method comprising: providing a solid or liquid compositioncomprising sodium hydroxide; dispersing the solid or liquid compositionin an aqueous medium that is contacted with the textile article, suchthat a concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is fromabout 1% to about 15% w/w; and maintaining the aqueous medium in contactwith the textile article at a temperature between about 10° C. and about120° C. for a period of between about 1 and about 180 minutes, whereinthe sodium hydroxide causes dissolution of hair from the textilearticle.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the concentrationof sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is about 1 to about 10% w/w;wherein the aqueous medium is maintained in contact with the textilearticle or the like at a temperature between about 30° C. to about 90°C. for a period of between about 3 to about 90 minutes.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the textile article to which the sodiumhydroxide is applied is an item of workwear.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the textile article to which the sodium hydroxide isapplied is a carpet, an item of furniture, an item of clothing, a petaccessory, an equestrian item or item of horsewear, or an itemincorporating a hook-and-loop fastener.
 5. The method according to claim4, wherein the hair to be removed is pet hair, including horse hair. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the method forms part of alaundering process.
 7. The method according to claim 1, comprising oneor more hair-dissolving chemicals selected from the group consisting ofthe group selected from thioglycolic acid or a salt thereof and enzymes.8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of sodiumhydroxide is from about 1% w/w to about 5% w/w.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the composition comprising the sodium hydroxide isan aqueous liquid or gel composition.
 10. The method according to claim1, wherein the composition is supplied as a solid or liquid concentrate.11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method comprises a onebath process.
 12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the sodiumhydroxide is contacted with the articles during the main wash of alaundry process.
 13. The method according to claim 12, carried out inthe presence of a washing liquor aqueous medium wherein the ratio ofarticles to the washing liquor aqueous medium is in the range from about1:1 to about 1:10 parts by weight.
 14. The method according to claim 6,wherein the method comprises a pre-soak operation.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the composition comprising the sodiumhydroxide is applied as a spray or as a coating on the article.
 16. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous medium containing thesodium hydroxide chemical is maintained at a temperature of from about70° C. to about 100° C.
 17. The method according to claim 16, whereinthe aqueous medium containing the sodium hydroxide chemical ismaintained at a temperature of from about 80° C. to about 100° C. 18.The method according to claim 1, wherein the sodium hydroxide is incontact with the article for between about 1 minute and about 30minutes.
 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or moreadditional ingredients are applied to the textile article, the one ormore additional ingredients being selected from the group consisting ofdetergents, antimicrobial agents, fragrances, optical brighteners,anti-creasing agents, softening agents, fire retardants, flame proofingagents, and water repellents.
 20. A concentrated composition suitablefor and intended to be dispersed in an aqueous medium, the concentratedcomposition comprising: sodium hydroxide at a concentration such that,when the concentrated composition is, in use, dispersed in an aqueousmedium the sodium hydroxide is present at about 1% to about 15% w/w,wherein the concentrated composition is in the form of a) a liquidconcentrate comprising sodium hydroxide at a concentration of about 20%to about 50% w/w put up in a container having a volume of about 0.3 toabout 1.0 liter; or b) a solid concentrate comprising sodium hydroxidein an amount of about 10 to about 300 g in the form of a tablet orpowder, which solid concentrate comprises sodium hydroxide at aconcentration of at least about 60% w/w in combination with a carrier.